The NFL is close to concluding its tampering investigations involving the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, with potentially significant penalties for one of the teams.
The Falcons are being scrutinized for allegedly meeting with and recruiting quarterback Kirk Cousins before the league’s permitted timeframe. Similarly, the Eagles are under investigation for their handling of star running back Saquon Barkley. On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the league will likely announce the results of these investigations this week.
Schefter indicated that the violations attributed to the Falcons are considered “more significant” than those of the Eagles, and thus, Atlanta is expected to face “more severe” discipline.
There is ample precedent for harsh penalties in cases of tampering. The Miami Dolphins lost their 2023 first-round and 2024 third-round picks after the league found they violated tampering rules multiple times between 2019-2022 while attempting to recruit Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was also fined $1.5 million.
In an earlier case, the Chiefs forfeited a 2016 third-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick for tampering with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin during the 2015 offseason. The team was fined $250,000, head coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000, and then-general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000.
There is little doubt that Atlanta violated tampering rules before signing Cousins, as the 35-year-old admitted to having direct contact with Falcons officials before it was permitted. While it is common for teams to recruit free agents before the official tampering window, there is generally a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach within the league.
Despite Cousins’ attempts to downplay the alleged violations, it seems likely that the Falcons will face some form of punishment.
